Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 364

MILITARY FORCE OF KHĀRAVELA
339
phants,' infantry and chariots. Hence, the Kalingan armies under Khāravela consisted of the traditional four divisions
1. Mrig-hastin or the animal with a band' is mentioned in two passages of the Rig Veda (I, 64, 7; IV, 16, 14). The elephant is also denoted in the Rig Veda by the descriptive term Mrigaväraga (VIII, 33, 8 ; X, 40, 8) or the wild or dangerous animal-the adjective 'vārana' became one of the names for elephants in the later literature. Pischel's view (Vedigche Studien, 2. 121-3; 317-19) that the catching of elephants by the use of tame female elephant is already alluded to in the ßig Veda (VIII, 2, 6; X, 40, 8) seems very doubtful (Vedic Index, II, 171-2). In the Aitreya Brāhmana (VIII, 23, 3) elephants are described as black, wbite-toothed, adorned with gold.
2. Foot-soldiers are frequently mentioned in the Vedas. The Atharva Veda (VII, 62, 1) refers to agni "as conquering the most powerful opponents, as a combatant on a chariot overcomes men fighting on foot.” This shows that foot-soldiers then were looked upon as a helpless mass when put against car-warriors. The Epics also depict the same view more graphically, though there are statements expressing reversed opinions (Santi parvan, 100, 24) The Agni Purana (236, 44.45 ; 242, 27) does not differentiate between the infantry and mere camp-followers. The Nītiprakásbikā (VI, 57) states that proper task of the footmen is to protect the granaries, arsenals and treasuries, and to make entrenchment for the army. But the Yuktikalpataru (p. 7) states that "the chief strength of an army lies in its infantry."
From the above, it must not be concluded that the infantry in early days was a mere residue. As archers, they were redoubtable fighters and won the admiration of the Greeks. It is also probable that they some. times decided the fortunes of battles by the sheer weight of their numbers. In the defence of forts and strongholds too foot-soldiers were specially relied upon.
3. The use of chariots in warfare marked an important stage in the evolution of the military system. A fighter on chariot had very many advantages over a foot-soldier.
The Rig Veda is full of references to war.chariots (I, 20, 3; III, 15, 15; IV, 4, 10; 16, 20; X, 103, 10 etc). The Atharva Veda (VI, 25) contains a beautiful hymn to the war-chariot 'compact with thongs of leatber.' It is described as the 'bolt of Indra', vanguard of the Maruts', 'close knit to Varuna', and 'child of Mitra'.
The car-warrior is the main strength of the Epic army, the stay and hope of contending hosts. But a chariot was more or less a monopoly of warriors belonging to the noble classes. The rank and file fought mostly